T’was the Night Before 4/20

Since marijuana was classified as a Schedule 1 drug (with others like heroin and methamphetamine) by the DEA in 1970, there has been a tremendous amount of debate around this classification and its larger societal effects. The legal status specifically has been a focus. The opinions span the spectrum from maintaining the illegal controlled substance status to decriminalization to regulated medical status to full legalization. This debate has been complicated by the fact that the issues tend to fall under the jurisdiction of the states but state law cannot supersede federal law. Unclear federal standing has opened the door for a variety of state interpretations which encourages the debate. According to the website Criminal Defense Lawyer, there is a conflict between marijuana laws being handled at a federal level or at state level.

In order to examine this issue mores closely we began to investigate the various positions on marijuana in the United States. In an effort to answer the question of what the legal status of marijuana should be we uncovered the following opinions.